ruralnet|uk is delighted to announce that the Rural Community Carbon Network (RCCN) has been awarded a £7,530 grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation – a fantastic start to the New Year!

The RCCN has evolved considerably over the last year and has attracted significant support from rural communities all over the UK that are taking collective action to tackle climate change. Climate change organisations have also come on board; seeing the benefits that a national network would bring to this area of local, grass-roots – and often isolated, activity. The progress of the RCCN is being blogged, allowing supporters to stay up to date with developments.

This grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation will allow ruralnet|uk to form the RCCN ‘Consortium’, which will consist of community advocates, experts and academics who will help to drive forward the initiative. The grant will also support the establishment of a multi-user blog-based forum which will form the foundation of the RCCN. The ruralnet|uk team and Trustees would like to thank the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for this grant and the support that they are giving to this initiative.

The fundraising efforts for the RCCN continue in earnest and with enthusiasm; with approaches being made to both the private and the public sector.

Communities are coming together and becoming the driving force for action against climate change; inspiring and motivating people to get on board and to feel like they can make a real difference.

ruralnet|uk will be publishing their research report ‘Community Energy Projects’ within the next month, which helps to provide a better understanding of the community energy project, particularly in the rural context. Funded by the Carnegie UK Trust, the report examines current activity taking place around the UK; gathered from the ‘mapping’ of projects, academic literature and case study examples.

Notes to Editors:

1. ruralnet|uk is a registered charity, number 1089238

2. Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK. They aim to improve the quality of life throughout the UK and fund the charitable activities of organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better.

3. The Carnegie UK Trust is a not for profit foundation. Their primary interest lies in supporting investigations into major issues which are impacting upon the lives of people.